Moonraker Winter League Round 3

Link Centre Swindon, 27th February 2016

Happy New Year and welcome back everyone! Winter League 3 and it seems an age since
round 2 on the 5th of December. The draw for round 3 saw us pitched into a gala with Calne
Alpha, Bradford on Avon A, Trowbridge A and Royal Wootton Bassett – a tough draw given that
they all sit above us in the table after round 2. It’s worth making the point at this stage that
in Winter League although we swim against 4 or 5 other clubs on the night, results are
compiled across all galas on the night meaning we’re actually competing with 16 other clubs
in total!

So a competitive night was expected and that was quickly established in the first 10 races.
The team gained 1 1st, 2 3rd, 2 4th and 5 5th places. The girls u15 4×1 medley (Sasha, Rowan,
Liberty and Beth) got a fab start to lead throughout and pip Bradford on Avon by a touch for
the 1st place. The 3rd places were in the boys u17 4×1 freestyle (Tyler, Max A, Alyx and
Tomas) and the boys 9-12 4×1 backstroke (Simon, Alex S, Charlie and Aaron). I’d love to tell
you more, but I missed the first few races!

After 10 we were trailing the other teams in 5th place on 21 points with Royal Wootton Bassett
leading the way on 35 points.

Races 11 – 20 were just as challenging, with 2 3rd places, 4 4th places and 4 5th places. The 3rd
places came in girls u15 4×1 freestyle (Olivia, Rowan, Beth and Liberty) who were in
contention for 3rd after 50m and had a strong finish to take the place; and the boys u15 4×1
freestyle (Andrew, Max A, Cameron and Tyler) who were pegged back from 1st position at
half way, but held on for top 3.

Half way on the night and we were still 5th with 39 points, chasing 4th place Calne on 57,
Trowbridge on 61, Wootton Bassett on 63 and Bradford on Avon on 74.
The second half of the evening was much the same as the first with races 21-30 bringing 2
3rd places, 5 4th and 2 5th. The girls u15’s (Rowan, Olivia, Sasha and Liberty) continued their
good form on the night in the 4×1 backstroke, just missing out on 2nd place after another
solid performance. The boys 4×1 Squadron breaststroke (Simon, Max A, Alyx and Tomas)
had a hard fought battle to finish 3rd just behind Trowbridge A, but only a touch ahead of
Calne in 4th.

After 30 races we were in 5th on 47 points.
The last 9 races brought 2 3rd places, 2 4th and 5 5th. The girls u17 4×1 medley (Sasha, Grace,
Liberty and Lydia) were pegged back from 2nd ahead of Calne after 50m, to 3rd by a touch.
The girls u15 (Olivia, Beth, Liberty and Rowan) then capped off their evening with another
3rd place in the 4×1 breaststroke.

The final results were:

Bradford on Avon 162
Calne Alpha 121
Royal Wootton Bassett 114
Trowbridge 105
Swindon 72

Now, despite a tough evening, the result was enough to maintain our position of 6th in the
overall league, guaranteeing the team a place at the top 6 showdown gala for Winter Finals!

I am also told by Ryan that overall the times swam were up on Winter League 2 so well
done team! Give yourselves a big pat on the back. It is also worth noting that many of our
swimmers were competing above their age group and in particular Tomas, Max A, Alyx and
Tyler who all swam against over 17’s in the open category.
As always, we can always improve and you will notice the coaches working with you on
starts, underwater phase, changeovers and finishes in the coming weeks.

Well done again, and we’ll see you at the Link on 26th March for finals!